Vaalbara; Visions & Shadows (11 page)

To one side stood an old-fashioned bath and basin. There was also a very old looking cabinet beside the window. It was pretty. I had a fondness for old-fashioned things. Someone had definitely gone through a lot of trouble to make this tent comfortable for me.

So, this would be my home from now on. Mine, alone. It was the first time since I got here that I felt some kind of normalcy. 

“This is your tent. Mine is next door. Your clothes are in the cupboard and your aide will be here shortly with your food. I will see you in the morning as I myself need some food and rest.” He didn’t even wait for a response as he raced away - sending a quick glance to the welcoming bed. Not that I minded. After all, I was supposed to be very angry with him. Well…that’s what I kept telling myself.

I opened the cupboard and just stared at the clothes they expected me to wear. I took out an outfit and held it up for closer inspection. These guys were all mental. There was no bloody way I was going to wear this.

No. Bloody. Way. Sid was on his back, cracking up with laughter from just picturing me in the stupid outfit. It was a tiny tank top made of leather and resembled Alandra’s choice of sex-kitten apparel. There was also an item that looked like something they would’ve called hot pants back on Earth, combined with a leather skirt. Only the skirt was torn into thin strips all around, leaving it open at the sides. And the best part? It barely covered my butt to just a hand or two’s width above my knees. I was going to look like some cheap stripper. On second thought, I was going to look like Alandra minus the incredible body.

I placed it on the bed and searched for shoes, scared of what I was going to find. When I saw them I cringed. How was I supposed to move in those boots? They looked like they weighed a ton. I took them out and held them up. Just as I thought! They
did
weigh a ton. Seriously! If I had to put them on they’d reach all the way to my knees, and they actually expected me to move in them.

A shadow by the door caught my attention. Standing there was a pretty blonde girl with low pigtails. I guessed her to be at least a head taller than me. She had a very slim build. She had soft pink eyes, just a shade lighter than the violet’s I’ve been seeing around here.

“Peace be, Princess Alchera. My name is Fleur.” She took a step into the room. “I am your aide, your Highness, and I brought you some food. Your Highness must be starving?” She had an open smile that made me relax.

“Are you going to eat with me?” I didn’t want to eat alone. I followed her into the living room where I was happy to see two plates waiting.

After making ourselves comfortable and having a few bites of what tasted like stew, I looked up from my plate and dared to ask a question. “What’s up with the eyes? I mean, why are there so many people here with shiny purple eyes? If you don’t mind me asking.”

She laughed. “Your Highness can ask me anything. That is what I am here for - to aid your Highness through the transition phase. I will answer any question your Highness might have. In fact, I would like very much to become your Highness’s friend. After all, we will be spending quite a lot of time together.” Her smile grew wider, as she continued excitedly, “The guardians have violet eyes. Your Highness is—”

I had to stop her. “Let’s get a few things straight. One. Call me by my name. I’m not going to respond to this Princess or Your Highness crap. Two. I’m very open to this friendship thing, but you don’t dare tell anyone what we talk about when we’re alone. Do you understand?”

She was starting at me with wide, confused eyes. “I am not sure I do. You want me to call you - a member of the royal family - by your common name?”

“Crap,” I sighed. “I’m going to have a really hard time talking to you people.” I was actually muttering to myself, but she managed to hear every single word I said.

“Alchera.” She made sure I was looking at her before she spoke again. “You are going to have to work on your language. The use of profanity is strictly forbidden on Vaalbara. We believe that what comes out of your mouth is a reflection of who you are inside.” She took my hand, like it would’ve softened the blow from what she’d just said.

“You cannot use vulgar language. You are home now, and my advice to you is - watch what you say.”

She gave me an encouraging smile, but it didn’t help. I still felt like crap. It was my first day back home and I’d been lectured by my aide, rejected by my sister, and given the responsibility of saving the human race. And now I wasn’t even allowed to use the odd emotional word to show how I was feeling. What next? 

No way, Sid. We still have our pride. There’s no way they’re going to change who we are.

“Enough of that. Where was I?” I just stared at her overly happy face.

“Eye color.” She smiled.

“Your eyes are emerald, as you are a lover of nature and that was what Awo has chosen for you. Alandra’s is onyx, as she is a warrior Princess. But if you ask me, they should be ruby red and spitting fire. No disrespect to you!” She looked guilty and ashamed for insulting my sister.

“Don’t apologize. I agree completely.”

Her smile returned, as she continued, “Elora’s eyes are golden-honey. She is like a sunray…like a spessartine stone. Everyone loves her, especially Alandra. Eamar, Raighne’s father, has blue eyes with golden flecks in them. His eyes are like those of the lapis lazuli stone. As your power grows as a guardian your eyes change color. He is very powerful, and the only guardian without violet eyes.

“Everybody is scared of him due to that. He is the King and Queen’s guardian. He can heal them when they are hurt and make himself unseen by others. Oh, and he can run very fast.  Truly, he has the stamina of a horse.” She had this dreamy expression on her face.

I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at her. It was so refreshing listening to her and quite interesting hearing her explanation of their eye colors.

“You seem to be into gemstones and crystals quite a bit?”

“Yes, I love them. Herbs, spices - and potions, too. I am pretty much at the top of my class.”

“You know Eamar well?”

Her face fell a bit. “I know all the guardians and their talents. I just wonder sometimes what it would be like to be one, that is all.”

“Can’t you, like, apply to become one?”

“It does not work that way,” Fleur answered. “Only men are guardians; only a handful of women were born with the talents. Other women are trained in healing and teaching. That is why I am studying so hard so maybe I can one day be like Aster.” Fleur’s wistful expression was on her face for another second, before it was replaced by sheer panic. “Not that I am saying I will ever be as good as she! Oh, no, that will never happen. I meant to say that maybe I could train under her.” She stared at me with enormous eyes, as if I was going to slap her across the face.

Instead, I just smiled. I kept quiet for a few seconds, because if I’d opened my mouth it would only have a string of swear words coming out of it. Only men got to be guardians! You’d have to be talented to be someone, or else you’d have to work your butt off to prove yourself. What kind of place was this where one immortal didn’t have the same rights as another? I took a deep breath, trying to keep my anger at bay.

“Look, I’m starting this training stuff tomorrow, and I know no one around here except for you and Raighne. It would be very nice if you could come with me. If you don’t mind?” I liked Fleur and wanted as many friendly faces as I could get when I had to face Alandra. A witness would be nice just in case she flayed me in the first minute.

“Of course I will be there. That is my place after all, right by your side.” Fleur jumped up and gathered the dirty dishes. As she headed for the doorway I could see her face was beaming.

“You should bathe and rest now. I will see you in the morning for training. Do not be troubled, it will not be as unpleasant as you think it will be.”

Somehow I didn’t believe that. Taking Fleur’s advice I bathed in the warm, welcoming water. My head had barely touched the pillows of the big bed before I was out like a light.

Chapter Four

Training

I might not be physically strong.

But I do believe that to survive, I need to be strong-willed.

Which is more important in life?

I woke up to the most beautiful sounds of birds chirping and water flowing nearby. It must’ve been pretty early still since I couldn’t hear any of the others moving around yet.

I stretched, enjoying the sunrays spilling through my window. I thought of the cold back on Earth. Then my eyes fell on the outfit. I considered wearing the white gown I had on. I mean, at least it covered everything. Turning my back on the wretched ensemble, I went to wash my face and brush my teeth.

When I looked in the mirror to brush my hair I was struck again by the change I had undergone. I saw this…Alchera looking back at me.

I liked the silver in my hair. It was different - kinda’ cool. I had shrunk by a few inches, but I loved the abdominal muscles that came with the package.

I still felt the same inside, though. Nothing had changed there. When the mirror was gone, Aislinn was back. Aislinn who had grown up alone, with no family, no friends. Aislinn who could predict other people’s futures, but hadn’t seen this coming in her own.

Maybe that’s what the shadows meant; the shadows that’d scared me so much.

I heard someone in the living room and walked out to meet whoever it was. Raighne. I practically drooled at the handsome Adonis in his leathers.

Quickly glancing down at my plain gown, I hesitantly looked back at him.

“I’m not wearing those things. They cover nothing. Can’t we go and get normal clothes for me?” I tried the best pleading face I could, but he just shook his head and smiled.

“You have to intermingle with your society, and that means dressing in what they dress in.” He turned me around, and pushed me back into the bedroom. His touch sent a trace of warmth down my back, and I stiffened at the feelings it woke inside of me, knowing I had to try and bury them as quickly as possible. I already had enough problems.

“Elora doesn’t wear that crap,” I whined. “It’s a matter of dignity.”

“Elora does not fight, my dear. You are not going to win this one, so go get dressed or I will have to do it for you.” He took a step forward as if to prove his point.

“Touch me and die.” I was waiting to blush but nothing happened. And Raighne didn’t move an inch. I sighed. “Fine. I’ll wear the clothes, but on one condition only.”

Raighne lifted his eyebrows and leaned against the wall, as he waited to hear my condition.

“I want pants.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but I walked right up to him, ready to stand my ground. Raighne straightened himself into his full length, forcing me to aim my gaze higher.

I swallowed hard. “Let’s understand one thing, Raighne. I don’t like your society and I don’t agree with how it works. I believe in equal rights for all which, by the way, your people don’t. I don’t believe in exploiting my body just because the rest of you dress that way. And,” I leaned in. “Listen very carefully now, I will
not
change who I am and how I talk for anyone! You people left me on Earth, and now you can just accept me for who I turned out to be.” I took a deep breath and stepped back to put some distance between Raighne and myself.

“I will see what I can do about getting you
into
…pants.” Raighne said nothing else as he left in a hurry, though I was sure I caught a smile as he exited the tent.

~*~

I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling quite pleased with the results. I did compromise and wore the top that was in my cupboard, but with the pants and boots the whole picture didn’t look half bad. I had everything covered that I wanted covered. 

“Okay. Alchera. Alchera. Alchera.” I repeated my name over and over like a mantra, hoping to get used to it faster that way, and at the same time trying to build courage. It was time to go face Alandra.

“You are talking to yourself.” Raighne’s voice was filled with laughter, though his eyes were full of something else; something I couldn’t quite place.

“You would too if you were as mental as I am.” Insults came naturally to me. It was a way to hide my embarrassment.

“Mental?”

I rolled my eyes.  “Sorry, I forgot I was stuck on a planet of apes. Mental means insane.”

His face hardened. “You are not insane! Stop talking down about yourself.”

I couldn’t help but squirm under his steady gaze. Looking away, I tried to escape his eyes. Grabbing my jacked off the bed, I shrugged it on as fast as I could, feeling some comfort from it. It was all I had from my former life. It was still hard to fathom that the life I’d known had been a lie - a ‘set’ created by these people where I was a pawn placed there to live out painful years until they felt they needed me again. And now it was all about to disappear; all the pawns that’d been placed there by God would soon be destroyed by their Creator.

“Do not do that to yourself either.”

I glanced at Raighne, shaking my head. I didn’t understand what he meant.

“It does not help to dwell in the past, Alchera. Choose to live for this hour only. Once you let this moment pass you will never be able to retrieve it, and it will become another memory to mourn.”

When I didn’t respond, Raighne moved closer and lifted my chin until I was looking into his eyes. “Alchera, speak to me.”

“It’s
my
life that’s gone, Raighne.” My voice sounded as empty as I felt.

“No, it is not gone.” He held my face in his hands, standing so close to me I had to fight to stay in control of my senses.

“Everything about me has been lies! I have no past, no future. I know nothing. My big purpose in life is about these ten people and, after that, there’s nothing else.” I placed my hand on his chest, took a deep breath, and then pushed him gently away. “I guess I have a lot to deal with right now so I’m feeling a bit low. After all, I just lost my best friend and it hurts a little bit more than I expected it would.” Walking past him, I headed for the door.

Raighne yanked me to a stop and had me facing him before I could blink. “Now you get to listen to me. I did not pretend to like you, nor did I pretend to care for you. Everything I said and did back on Earth was real. I was always being myself. When I found you, when I saw you so alone and vulnerable, it broke something inside me. I would gladly lay my life down if it meant we could turn back time and spare you that life.” He took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair.

I really wanted to believe him, but I was so scared of being made a fool of again. His eyes immediately flickered to mine and he shook his head once, as if he’d heard what I was thinking.

“Alchera, I am your guardian and you are my sole purpose for living. I would never intentionally harm you. You
have
to believe me.”

He reached for my hand, though I pulled away in time and started for the door. I wasn’t worth any of this. I wasn’t worth him. My future held nothing, and I was not going to take him down with me. I gathered all the strength I could before delivering the biggest lie I’d ever told.

I squared my shoulders. “I’m here. I’ll do as I’m told. But remember one thing. You’re only my guardian, whatever that means. Please keep your focus on only that. I’ve had enough pain and rejection to last me several lifetimes. I don’t need your friendship—”

“Stop!” Raighne’s voice boomed through the living room, and with a speed that shocked me he instantly closed the gap between us. All my bravery left me in that second and I covered my face with both my hands. I didn’t want him to see me being weak and vulnerable. I didn’t want to be just another girl, but I couldn’t hold back the sob and the tears that followed.

“You can never lie to me, Alchera. I will always know if what you speak is the truth. You need my friendship - now more than ever.” Leaning his head closer to mine, he spoke his next words with urgency. “The day I was made your guardian we were joined together in a bond before Awo. That bond can never be broken. It is even stronger than the bond of marriage. The relationship between a guardian and his charge comes before that of the charge and any partner she may have.” Raighne smiled down at me. “That is what we share, Alchera. Our futures are woven together until the day we breathe our last breath. I hope you are ready to look into my face every day for the rest of your life.”

His arms wrapped around me and it felt…heavenly. Knowing that I would see him every day of my life and that I would be important to him - more important than any other girl out there - made my soul sing.

Before I knew what was happening, Raighne seized my lips with his own. He kissed me with so much passion that he left me breathless and stunned.

“There is no other I care for,” his strong voice was a whisper. “You need to get your focus back on your training and your chosen ones. Get yourself out to that field for training.” He let go of me and stood silently, as I headed out of the tent.

~*~

I walked to where Fleur was standing; my mind a big confused ball of mush. I still wasn’t so sure where I stood with Raighne. One thing I knew was that he did care for me, and that fact alone made me happier than I’d ever been. Whatever we had was not a public thing, but I was okay with that. For now I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Raighne had kissed me and it was so…right.

             
“You are looking rested today,” Fleur said, in a teasing tone. “Sleep well?” She was wearing leathers, too, and so was everyone else around us. I must’ve been really tired the day before for not noticing it sooner.

“I slept like a baby, thank you. I can’t remember when I’ve slept so well.” My mind drifted to Alandra and the training session that was waiting for me. I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice Fleur speaking.

“Hellooo? Goodness, Alchera. Are you there?” Fleur was waving her hand in front of my face, to get my attention.

“Sorry. I just spaced out for a second.” I picked up my pace a little, wanting to get this freak show over with as soon as possible.

“What were you thinking? That is, if you do not mind me asking?”

I smiled. “I was thinking of how my sister is going to kick my ass.”

Fleur gasped.

“Oops, sorry. I mean, how my sister is going to kill me today.”

Fleur issued a small, soft laugh. “Do not worry. I will be there.”

“Great,” I snickered. “Someone to pick up the body.”

~*~

We headed to the field of death where Alandra was waiting. My stomach made nervous flips, as she waited for me to walk all the way to where she was standing. She was a whole head taller than I was, and she wore a sarcastic smile. I had an awful feeling I’d be seeing a lot of that ‘Jack-the-Ripper’ smile in my future.

             
“Peace be, Alandra.” I tried greeting her in the way I’d heard everyone else greet each other around here. Without responding, she gave me another once-over and then turned her back on me.

             
Well now, wasn’t that encouraging, Sid? We’re in for one hell of a training session if you ask me.

             
“Today you will learn how to hold a blade and attack me with it.”

             
Great! She didn’t even greet me and we were going to use actual sharp instruments that she could easily slice and dice me with. So much for pleasantries.

             
We walked to the other side of the field where she threw a blade at my feet. I jumped to the side, not wanting to lose any toes. The tool looked like a cross between a sword and a massive butcher’s knife from a horror movie. Maybe I
could
have an acting career…I could star in
Alchera Takes Vaalbara
.

             
“You need to actually pick it up, moron.” 

             
Moron! Seriously? What happened to these people speaking perfect English?

             
I looked around and saw Fleur sitting on a hill waving at me. Picking up the blade, I waited for the next instruction - or, insult - whichever came first.

             
“Attack me, woman! Oh, patience be mine. This is going to be a very long day.” She sure didn’t sound like Raighne and Fleur. Her vocabulary was way closer to mine than theirs.

             
I lunged forward, but she hit my arm so hard the blade went flying, landing a few feet away. It made a funny ‘boing’ sound that I thought only happened in movies.

             
My arm stung where she’d hit it, though I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing me wince in pain. I noticed then she had on some kind of armor. Hence, the pain I was feeling.

             
Great, Sid. She’s using steal against my bare skin. Now that’s a fair fight.

             
“Again.” She spat the word at me.